If we pay all the money to farmers by the end of the year, it will be a miracle, Takáč says. Food is already cheaper

"We paid the direct payments, we managed. We are one of the countries that have not had a single euro sanction," Takáč opened the discussion. However, he warned that this year and next year Slovakia has to spend more than 600 million euros in project calls.

Opposition MEP Štefunko congratulated the minister for managing the situation, but added that the agriculture ministry should plan ahead better.

"There is another problem brewing and we need to keep an eye on it," Štefunko said, referring to the additional European money that needs to be drawn down.

"We have taken all the steps to speed up the processes, simplify administration, remove bureaucracy," the minister says. However, he appeals to all farmers, food producers and foresters who apply for funding projects.

Applicants must also contribute

"We have found that many projects have been approved and are being implemented, but the contractors are not asking for funds," explains Takáč.

Štefunko, however, argued that this statement does not make sense. "They are not asking for money because it is administratively difficult for them, or because they submitted projects in 2019 to 2020 at the prices that were in that period. It may cost more today and they can't buy it anymore," the MP said.

However, Takac says that is not true and the reasons are completely different. "It is being done by a subcontracting agency that does not have documents from the applicant, the company supplied him with the equipment but did not want funds from him," the minister names possible reasons. "There is no minus," he says of the disbursement system.

According to Štefunk, there is a chance that the money from the European Union will be exhausted by the end of the year. "If the ministry submits reasonable proposals to parliament, we will vote for them," he said for the PS.

"But I don't know which landowners you are talking to. They have approved projects, they cannot break the law and the ministry cannot change their contract. That's why they are refinancing it from the banks," the PS deputy chairman said. He added that the banks no longer trust the landlords as they were unable to repay the loans last year.

"Mr Štefunko says we have to manage all the projects. We are doing everything for it. But if we can do it, it will be a miracle of miracles," Takáč responded.

The minister confirmed that the ministry is preparing at least one law to improve the situation. "But the farmer must also put his hand on his heart and not act like it's okay and he has time," he further appealed. However, he admitted that the money will not be 100% spent by the end of this year. "In the past, €40 million was drawn down annually. We have to draw 360 million this year. We are doing everything we can to make it happen," he added.

Food is already said to be cheaper

Štefunko suggests that the state, or the Agricultural Payment Agency (PPA), should help applicants to draw money and advise them on how to do it. "On the basis of that, you might find out why they are not drawing it," says the MP. "I agree with you. The PPA needs to become a pro-client organisation," Takáč nodded.

The minister also disagrees with the claim that the government is doing nothing about food prices. "Primary food producers have never received the kind of government support they are receiving now," he argues. He says some food prices are already lower now compared to previous years.

"It's not like someone is going to say they want bread to cost 50 cents. It just doesn't work that way," Takac explains. He says the ministry is working hard on irrigation systems, for example.

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